Majestic 5-bed, majestic Home in Mount Street Bryanston on auction

Minor Hotels – a global leader in hotel ownership, operation and investment – actively continues to demonstrate its commitment to the burgeoning hospitality industry in Africa with offerings that align perfectly with current industry trends, including experiential travel, sustainable tourism, and the growing interest in African destinations.

With its regional operational offices based in Johannesburg, Minor Hotels is making waves signalling a strong commitment to the African continent. Its renowned brands in the region, Anantara and Avani, are familiar to an already appreciative and discerning audience of travellers not just from South Africa but from around the world. The group’s active pursuit of growth underscores Minor Hotels’ dedication to redefining hospitality in Africa, positioning it as a key player in the continent’s tourism sector.

Find your wild side

Minor Hotels’ impressive Southern African portfolio is as diverse as it is far-reaching and boasts 29 spectacular properties located in Namibia, Lesotho, Zambia (Victoria Falls), Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya. Among these gems are award-winning The Royal Livingstone by Anantara and Avani Victoria Falls in Livingstone, Zambia; the breathtaking Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort and Avani Pemba Beach Hotel in Mozambique caters to the corporate traveller; Avani Gaborone Resort & Casino in Botswana; Avani Windhoek Hotel & Casino in Namibia; and the charming Avani Maseru Hotel and Avani Lesotho Hotel & Casino in Lesotho. Additionally, the Elewana Collection, a curated selection of luxury lodges, camps, and boutique hotels in East Africa, adds a touch of exclusivity to the Minor Hotels experience.

Africa is experiencing a hospitality revolution

Lindi Mthethwa, Regional Director of Sales and Marketing in Africa, highlighted the economic value of Minor Hotels’ presence in Africa. She stated, “Our commitment to the continent goes beyond providing exceptional accommodations in all of the 1234 rooms we have across our properties in the Southern African region. We are proud to contribute to local economies by generating employment opportunities and supporting the tourism sector. Across Africa, our hotels and resorts have created thousands of jobs, and our commitment to sustainable tourism ensures we benefit local communities.”

One of the hallmarks of Minor Hotels’ presence in Africa is its dedication to collaborating with local businesses, artisans, and suppliers. This commitment not only supports the local economy but also promotes sustainable tourism practices. By engaging with local partners, the hotel group is fostering a stronger sense of community and connection within the regions where they operate.

Where it all began…

Minor Hotels’ history dates back to 1967 when William Ellwood Heinecke, known as Bill, embarked on an entrepreneurial journey at the young age of 17. His vision and determination eventually led to the establishment of Minor Hotels, which has since grown into a global hospitality and lifestyle behemoth. Today, the company’s name pays homage to its humble beginnings and has become synonymous with excellence in the hospitality industry worldwide.

While Minor Hotels, may have a relatively low-key name compared to the alluring and exotic “Anantara” – which loosely translates to “water without end” in Sanskrit – this simplicity is a testament to its remarkable success story, showcasing how the group’s unassuming name belies its extraordinary achievements. At the heart of these achievements, you will find uplifting programmes and initiatives which are aimed at preserving and uplifting the communities and environments surrounding the hotels and resorts. These projects play a role in the recovery of tourism and sustainability is a big part of that.

Most recently the Minor Hotels in the region spearheaded the Victoria Falls Clean-up project and two scholarship programmes. In 2022 The Royal Livingstone Hotel by Anantara partnered with Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (SHA) and SOS Children’s Village Livingstone to run a six-month Youth Employment Programme on property. Fifteen vulnerable youths were selected for the first intake to be trained and given formal employment at the hotel. Anantara BazarutoCt and the Aujan Group Holding collaborated to form the Aujan - Anantara Scholarship Programme. This scholarship aims to provide youth from the local Zenguelemo, Pangaia and Sitone communities with access to college education upon completion of their secondary education. 10 students from the local Zenguelemo Secondary School were awarded scholarship opportunities and placed at Instituto Industrial e Comercial "Eduardo Mondlane" de Inhambane, in Inhambane City where they have been enrolled in a comprehensive hospitality course for a three-year period, with lessons covering theoretical hospitality foundation and English language classes. This focus on sustainability and empowerment which forms part of Minor’s DNA as a group, not only impacts tourism but the community as the hotels are key economic drivers in their region.

Minor Hotels continues to push the boundaries of the hospitality industry, and its commitment to Africa is a testament to its dedication to providing memorable experiences, supporting local communities, and promoting sustainable tourism in the region. Plans are underway for adding a brand-new product to the Minor Hotels portfolio - an ultra-luxury safari tented camp, which will be the first of its kind under the Anantara brand. Watch this space…

Nedbank's Chief Executive, Mike Brown, is set to take the stage as the keynote speaker at the forthcoming biennial conference of the South Africa Real Estate Investment Trust (SA REIT) Association, scheduled for 15 February 2024, in Johannesburg.

Day one of the Township Retail Investment Summit (TRIS) kicked off at the Mall of Thembisa
by connecting the township believers with the dreamers on Thursday 31 August.

Such is the surge in demand for student accommodation in the university town of Stellenbosch in the Cape Winelands, that investors – and parents – are snapping up units in sectional title developments designed to cater for this lucrative market.

According to Louise Varga, Pam Golding Properties area manager for Stellenbosch, Somerset West, Gordon’s Bay and Strand: “The accelerated demand for student accommodation has pushed up property prices, especially sectional title properties close to Stellenbosch University campus.

“This demand translates into meaningful capital returns on investment for astute buyers, particularly those who acquire units on or soon after launch.  For example, a buyer who purchased an apartment for R2.4 million in Beau Vie sold it for R2.8 million a year later, achieving a 17% capital return in just one year.

“In another instance, we sold an entire apartment block Beau Vie 2 off plan to an investor even before it came to market, as he understood and seized the opportunity to capitalise on the high demand for student accommodation in Stellenbosch.”

Continues Varga: “In 2015 a two-bedroom unit in Andringa Walk sold for R2.65 million and was rented out for R9 400 per month, while today, a two-bedroom unit in this development sells for over R4.7 million and achieves rentals of R24 500 a month. The capital growth achieved in eight years is almost 77% while the rental has increased by 160% over the same period, and even during Covid, as rental demand continues to increase exponentially, exceeding supply.

“In 2010, we sold erven in the development, Brandwacht aan Rivier for R995 000 to buyers purchasing off plan, with some selling their erven three months after transfer for R1.495 million – that’s R500 000 or just over 50% more than they paid for them, which underscores the benefit of getting in early on these new developments.

“Furthermore,” says Varga, “a new development like Newinbosch, that offers a wide variety of homes and accommodation plus an endless list of amenities has sold over R200 million in residential property in just five months, on one estate.”

South Africa is under growing internal and external pressure to rein in its carbon emissions, particularly as the effects of the climate crisis become ever clearer.

A predominantly young and rapidly urbanising population is contributing towards a growing demand for sectional title residential properties in South Africa, particularly in the major metropolitan areas and key commercial hubs, says Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive of the Pam Golding Property group.

“We have had an excellent start as a newly merged company, creating the leading
central London mixed-use REIT.

Stellenbosch, 4th August 2023 – Southern Sun de Wagen, an iconic historical hotel located in the heart of South Africa’s most famous wine region, proudly announced its re-opening on Friday, 4th August, just six weeks after a flash flood wreaked havoc on its premises on 14th June 2023. The hotel’s resilience and determination, coupled with the extraordinary efforts of the staff and contractors, have enabled a remarkable refurbishment and restoration process in record time.

On that fateful day the highest rainfall in 47 years was recorded by the province and the Eerste River burst its banks. Within the hour, the nearby Southern Sun de Wagen was flooding as water gushed through the adjacent street and flowed into the hotel. Hotel manager Abel Pienaar explained, “We were literally knee deep in water, wading through the hotel to assist guests with evacuation.  We did everything we could to prevent the water from entering the reception and lounge and other ground floor areas but the flood came so fast that the damage was done. The flood caused significant destruction to the hotel’s ground level, including the Kuyperhuis courtyard pool, woodwork, furniture, joineries, and floors. Once the water subsided, we realised the extent of the damage and it was evident that the entire ground level required a comprehensive refurbishment and repair effort.”

Despite the challenges faced, over the subsequent six weeks, the refurbishment team worked tirelessly to restore the hotel. In addition, they conducted thorough electrical and mechanical systems tests, including on water pumps, pool pumps, air con pumps, heat pumps, and water tanks to ensure the safety and comfort of guests upon the reopening.

“The restoration period has been phenomenally swift, thanks to our project manager and his incredibly determined and dedicated team who have worked around the clock to make sure that the hotel was closed for as short a time as possible and to ensure that it could re-open promptly,” Pienaar added.

Southern Sun de Wagen is more than just a boutique hotel; it is a living testament to South Africa’s rich history and cultural heritage. The hotel first opened in 2021 as a joint vision between Remgro and Southern Sun.  A collection of historic farmstead buildings dating back to the early 1900s was restored and re-imagined creating a unique and charming boutique hotel in Stellenbosch. The hotel’s white-walled Cape Dutch heritage, complemented by elegant interiors across its three country houses (Wagenhuis, Kuyperhuis, and Roeshuis), offers a collection of 22 bedrooms. Exposed wooden beams, elegant brass and marble bathrooms, and indigenous flora framing a courtyard pool add to the hotel’s historic value.

The flood refurbishment extended beyond the structural elements to preserve the hotel’s historical authenticity and special care was taken to repaint the exterior with a unique paint, specially designed for such old homes. The interiors of rooms affected by the flood were also repainted, ensuring that the hotel retains its charm and heritage.

The management of Southern Sun de Wagen expressed their gratitude to the staff members who displayed immense dedication during this time. Some staff members were relocated to other hotels, while those remaining worked tirelessly to keep reservations coming in for August onwards. Additionally, the contractors’ dedication and the sense of community displayed by everyone involved contributed to the successful and swift restoration of a unique and very special hotel.

“We are open for business, and we can’t wait to welcome our guests back with our warm hospitality. We are delighted to re-open in time to welcome Woordfees visitors to the festival in Stellenbosch,” shared Pienaar, expressing the hotel’s eagerness to make new memories with guests.

Exemplar REITail has declared a dividend of 141,1 cents per share (cps) for the full year ended 28
February 2023.